As Summer settles in we look to take it a little easy. Some shelves are dusted off, and a couple titles come back to the table after resting a few years. Also, a rare abstract finds it’s way into our rotation.

We also recount a few sessions and some trips to some gigs. Easy Breezy, as Joe might say.

We discuss a sprawling, big Euro game, a compact, tense Euro game and five albums that should be filling your ears. All that and a debate on the state of the hobby in episode 134 of the ‘cast.

Please enjoy.

MOMENTS:

00:10:49 — The John and Company Not Monopoly Contest Results
00:18:40 — A Trade to Make? (Tash Kalar & Terra Mystica for 18CZ)
00:21:10 — Joe plays Feudum (multiple sessions)
00:49:42 — The Burning Question: Sturgeon’s Law and Board Games
01:21:35 — This Week in Spins (Neko Case, The Magic Numbers, The Pineapple Thief and more)
01:42:18 — Carthago(in-depth)
02:16:33 — It is all just a Tire Fire, Lusty or Not.

We serve up something a little different in this episode. On tap is a play by play, blow by blow, and drink by drink recap of our trip to Denver for Heavy Con and its impromptu satellite cons. Did we have fun? Did we play enough games? You be the judge.

Welcome aboard the Punching Cardboard World Tour 2018.

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES:

00:09:12 — A John Company Pre-Post-Production Contest
00:20:05 — Day 1: On the Road; Old Men Tempting Altitude; Bison; Comfort Sleep
00:34:10 — Day 2: 1000 to 1 odds in Dynasty League; Imposters; The Tower of Ginkgopolis
00:54:56 — Day 3: Ridin’ the Rails in 1830; Kings Forged in Steel; John Company negotiations
01:21:29 — Day 4: Uber Heat; Pax Renaissance Tournament; Wings & Beer; K is for Killed
01:31:42 — The Whisky Break
01:51:06 — Day 5: 1714 Works No Matter the Rules; A Pax Ren Finale
02:02:22 — Day 6: BBQs and Hail Storms
02:04:10 — Day 7: Denver International Airport Wins Again

Bruce may be dropping the needle and saying a prayer over at ol’ Mary’s place, and Frank’s ghost sure as hell is still jammin’ over at Joe’s garage, but there’s a cool breeze on a warm evening over here on Jackie’s porch.

We’ve got a little bourbon neat, a few slices of pie and some fancy cards; it’s a juxtaposition of thinkiness and relaxation. Come on over and join the band.

Using our trusty mobile recording device, we gather at a secret location (Joe’s) and leave our comfort zone to lay down the riffs that comprise episode 130. Some games covered, some stout imbibed and some stories related. This is a loose episode. The information is fractured. Our thought train, a bit derailed. Still, it all comes out fine in the end.